Helpful Hints & Tips

Moving Tips

1. Saving your money

2. Ask about our package deals

• FREE QUOTE
  Quote, Crate hire or Packaging, Removals, Secure Storage, End of Tenancy Cleaning and Clearance. Book or order now on 0207 733 9922 / 0845 544 0761

3. Is the company you using Members with the Guild of Removers and Storers

• Do they  gaurentee good service?
• Do they value quality and excellence?
• Do they hold a professional image?
• Do they have official terms and conditions which line up with the industry?
• Do they have a good reputation in the industry?

MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUILD OF REMOVERS AND STORERS

                                     

Hints for Cleaning

1. Ask about our package deals

• FREE QUOTE
  Quote, Crate hire or Packaging, Removals, Secure Storage, End of Tenancy Cleaning and Clearance. Book or order now on 0207 733 9922 / 0845 544 0761

2. Cutting Cleaning Costs

• Use an old toothbrush to clean behind tapes which are close to the wall and other hard to reach places.
• Use air freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job as well as leaving a lovely smell.
• Use a pencil eraser over heel marks on wooden floors.
• Chewing gum can be removed by using ice to harden and a blunt knife to remove it.
• Clean glass table tops by rubbing with a little lemon juice, dry with paper towels and polish with newspaper for a sparkling table.
• Toothpaste will remove small scratches from glass.
• To remove pencil marks and other non-greasy spots from non-washable wallpapers, use an art-gum eraser or a slice of fresh rye bread.
• Remove dust from wicker by vacuuming with the dust brush attachment. Use a paintbrush or a toothbrush to get at hard-to-reach places
• Wax drippings, apply an ice cube or ice pack to wax on carpets or upholstery. This will make the wax brittle, allowing you to scrape off what you can with a blunt object.
• Use small paint brushes to dust cracks and hard to reach places in telephones, stereos, etc.
• Hairspray will remove magic-marker ink from surfaces.
• Toothpaste will remove small scratches from glass.
• Clean glass table tops by rubbing with a little lemon juice, dry with paper towels and polish with newspaper for a sparkling table.
• To remove pencil marks and other non-greasy spots from non-washable wallpapers, use an art-gum eraser or a slice of fresh rye bread.
• Remove dust from wicker by vacuuming with the dust brush attachment. Use a paintbrush or a toothbrush to get at hard-to-reach places.
• If you have mould growths remove them with a damp cloth and wipe the surface again with a clean cloth soaked in a water and detergent solution.
• Lime scale on grout dip a toothbrush in a solution of half water and half bleach, scrub then rinse.
• For a germ-free showerhead soak it in vinegar
• Use baby oil on shower curtains to avoid mould and discolouring.
• When cleaning the kitchen floor use your rubbish bin to hold the water, this way you will clean the floor and get a clean bin at the same time.

Top Tips with Alka-Seltzer:

• 3 tablets down the kitchen sink followed by a cup of white vinegar. Leave for a few minutes then run hot water - cleans pipes.
• 4 tablets in the toilet will bring your bowl up sparkling clean. Leave for an hour and then brush.
• To remove the stain from the bottom of a glass vase, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.

Top Tips with Baby oil:

• Use a small amount of baby oil and rub over stainless steel surfaces like cookers to make it look watermark and finger mark free.
• Use baby oil on shower curtains to avoid mould and discolouring.

Top Tips with baking soda:

• Baking soda is mildly alkaline which makes it useful for neutralizing mild acids such as Lemon Juice. It can be used as a versatile cleaner, stain remover and deodorizer.
• Use on a damp sponge to remove grease easily from stove, back splash etc.
• Great for carpet deodorising, just sprinkle onto carpet before going to bed and vacuum in the morning.
• Used for many jobs around the house, scrubbing sinks, bath tub, stove, refrigerator and laundry.
• Keep pipes clean under the sink - pour about one quarter cup of baking soda down the drain with about 1 cup of vinegar, this makes a chemical reaction, then pour some hot water down the drain.
• To minimise odours in your fridge, remove top from box of baking soda and place it on one of the shelves. From time to time stir contents.
• Use with hot water to clean hair brushes and combs.
• Remove stains from silver cutlery by dipping a damp cloth in baking soda and rubbing over the stain.
• Freshen up a mattress by sprinkling a mixture of baking soda and aromatic talcum powder over it. Leave for 1 week then vacuum.

Top Tips with fresh lemons and juice:

• The acidic nature of lemons make the juice useful as a mild bleach, disinfectant and cleaning agent. Efficiency and strength are enhanced when used with Baking Soda.
• To remove stains from Marble, sprinkle salt on a fresh cut lemon. Rub very lightly over stain. Do not rub hard or you will ruin the polished surface. Wash off with soap and water.
• Lemon juice and newspaper to clean shower doors.
• Clean glass table tops by rubbing with a little lemon juice, dry with paper towels and polish with newspaper for a sparkling table.
• Salt on a lemon will remove tough grime from inside the washing machine.
• Squeeze juice into a bowl of water or use a piece of cut lemon and place into a refrigerator to eliminate odours.

 

Man & Van

1. Ask about our package deals

• FREE QUOTE
  Quote, Crate hire or Packaging, Removals, Secure Storage, End of Tenancy Cleaning and Clearance. Book or order now on 0207 733 9922 / 0845 544 0761

2. Cost saving tips

Order your packaging supplies

Buy boxes from a local moving company like Active Moves, they are generally cheaper than storage companyies and will deliver. When boxes are of uniform size they stack better. These boxes also have rooms listed on the tops of the box so you only have to check the box next to the room the box is going to.

 

Check the Size of the Van?

If they turn up with a small van, it will cost much more in time if you have to do multiple trips.

 

Be ready to move on the day

This will help keep costs down and be far less stressful for you

 

Active Moves offer a box buy back service.

If you buy too many boxes you can return the unused  and undamaged boxes for a refund. As long as they are in the same condition as when you received them. These double walled boxes are also quite sturdy so you can re-use them or stash them in your attic until you move again. Just remember to keep them away from damp.

 

Pack in Advance

This will defiantly avoid unwanted stress. Awkward and delicate items such as mirrors, picture frames, Hi-Fi's, standing lamps, etc ensure you bubble wrap them or box them up to avoid breakages.

 

Don't overload your boxes

Please do not overload your boxes. Boxes should not weigh more than 30kgs each. If they are too heavy for you to lift, then try to redistribute the items between two boxes. This will avoid boxes breaking open and your precious items been damaged. Try and use double walled boxes; these are stronger and have less chance of crumbling and breaking when you pack them on top of each other.

 

Document what is in your boxes

Use a digital camera to document the contents of your boxes; this will help you remember where you have placed those items.

 

Fill those half full boxes or empty spaces

Using acid free papers or void fillers

 

Where to put packed boxes

Set aside an area in the house where you can put all your packed items. Use a room that isn't used much and place in the corner. So you won't be tripping over boxes every day.

 

Shipping items

Don't label boxes with contents if the contents are very valuable. Instead of writing "Silver Service-Fragile Items" you could write something that makes it sound less inviting to thieves while showing the fragile nature of the contents. Example: "Mom's old dishes" instead of "Fine China" When shipping they always need a full inventory of what’s in each box, so write it all down and try to estimate the value incase you box goes missing and you need to make a claim. This will help speed things up and the chances of you remembering what’s in every box once you pack it is very slim.

Bagging items
If you are going to be bagging items (such as clothing and duvets or fluffy toys). Please ensure you use top quality clear refuse bags, so that the bags don't break open and the movers don’t mistaken them for rubbish.

Flat Pack furniture and large sofas
Dismantle self-assembled furniture or sofas in advance (unless you are sure it can fit through doorways and stairwells). Remember to put all nuts and bolts in a small bag and preferably tape it to the item it came from. If you want us to dismantle any items for you please let us know beforehand.

Fridge and Freezers
Remember to defrost and drain at least 24 hours before the move, appliances should be dry. Please remember if it is going to be stored short term or long term, doors needs to be left open. This helps avoid mould build up and your item smelling.

Access to and from premise
It is also a good idea to ensure that all doors, stairs, lifts and hallways are clear of obstructions. This will create a steady flow from the house to the vehicle. Remove mirrors, picture and painting from walls so they don’t get damaged by any large furniture. Also  if you have any nails in the walls, remove those too so it prevents any items been caught on them and damaged and of cause if the movers do you could hear some very colourful words coming out of there mouths.

Ensure parking space is reserved according to the local parking regulations. 
This is the Client's responsibility and any parking fines will be charged to you.

Storage Top Tips

1. Ask about our package deals

• FREE QUOTE
  Quote, Crate hire or Packaging, Removals, Secure Storage, End of Tenancy Cleaning and Clearance. Book or order now on 0207 733 9922 / 0845 544 0761

2. Safely Storing Items

3. MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUILD OF REMOVERS AND STORERS

Is the company you using Members with the Guild of Removers and Storers

• Do they gaurentee good service?
• Do they value quality and excellence?
• Do they have 24 hour access?
• Do they have temperature controlled and alarmed facilities?
• Do they have official terms and conditions which line up with the industry?
• Do they have a good reputation?

MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUILD OF REMOVERS AND STORERS

                                     

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